Unified Online Self-Exclusion Standard Proposed at ARSO 2026 for iGaming Industry
As online betting accelerates rapidly across Africa, industry experts and regulators are advocating for unified global standards to curb gambling-related harm.
During the 32nd General Assembly of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) in Mombasa, Kenya, from August 24–28, 2026, a proposal to establish clear, standardized implementation guidelines for self-exclusion systems was presented.
The Online Self-Exclusion, Recommended Code of Practice, was spearheaded by Dr. Margaret Carran of City St. George’s, University of London, and Šimon Vincze, Head of Sustainable and Safer Gambling at Casino Guru. The project addresses critical flaws in existing regulatory frameworks.
According to the project, while providing self-exclusion mechanisms is mandatory in many jurisdictions and has always been emphasized across the industry, regulations often lack specific provisions regarding actual operational processes. Consequently, operators are left to implement tools at their convenience, resulting in inconsistent execution, poor player communication, and unresolved procedures for returning funds.
Šimon Vincze said: “Protecting those who might be at increased risk through responsible gambling is an essential part of a prosperous industry.” He further elaborated on how self-exclusion functions as a vital safeguard for vulnerable players saying: “One of the key tools for responsible gambling is self-exclusion, where players voluntarily ask operators or other authorities to be blocked from accessing their account with single or multiple operators, or from different forms of gambling for a set period.”
To eliminate points of misunderstanding and misuse, the standardized code of practice establishes concrete operational rules across four key stages of the self-exclusion lifecycle. The first stage, Awareness Raising, Player Communication, and Initiation, provides clear guidelines for dynamically presenting self-exclusion options to players, ensuring transparent instructions and minimizing friction when a player chooses to block themselves.
It also mandates that initiation cannot be delayed by pending full identity verification or remaining account balances. The second stage, Enforcement and Zero Access, requires operators to strictly respect player decisions immediately, if full identity verification is incomplete when requested, the account must be frozen instantly to ensure zero access to deposits, withdrawals, or gambling services.
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In the third stage, Account and Fund Handling, clear procedures govern the management of excluded accounts, explicitly mandating the prompt and safe return of all remaining player funds within 24 hours of self-exclusion initiation. Finally, the fourth stage, Cross-Jurisdictional Adaptability, offers an “off-the-shelf” model of best practices designed to be universally integrated across diverse national regulatory environments, rather than being restricted to a single country or region.
The proposed standards offer players a clear choice, allowing them to select an indefinite exclusion or specific temporary durations of 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, or 5 years. To protect recovering individuals, temporary exclusions are completely irrevocable. Indefinite exclusions cannot be automatically terminated and are only revocable upon the expiry of a maximum stipulated threshold of 5 years, requiring an “active step” from the gambler and a mandatory 24-hour cooling-off period before account reinstatement.
Furthermore, returning players must be supported through enhanced monitoring, including setting up mandatory financial and time limits for at least 6 months. The framework also introduces a highly visible Panic Button on all gambling pages, allowing players to instantly lock themselves out of all gameplay for a strict, automated 24-hour period.
The standards were developed through a rigorous academic methodology. Which began with a research & literature review, a working group consensus, and finally, a global consultation.
As Šimon Vincze noted regarding the final recommendations: “The feedback was reflected in a final paper that now offers best practices that are feasible to use. They cover every aspect of self-exclusion and were made with a sustainable gambling approach in mind, which contributes to de-escalation of harm and regaining control, while aiming at using the right self-exclusion at the time.”
By adopting common standards, policymakers and regulators can demonstrate a genuine commitment to consumer protection while establishing a balanced, transparent, and resilient gambling landscape.
The event was held in partnership with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and featured a distinguished lineup of attendees, including high-level government and regional dignitaries such as Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Deputy President of Kenya, Hon. Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, and Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, Governor of Mombasa County.
Prominent standards and quality assurance leaders also participated, including Kebapetse Botsile, President of ARSO, Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana, ARSO Secretary General, Sergio Mujica, Secretary General of ISO, Esther Ngari, Managing Director of KEBS, and Dr. Chris Wamalwa, Chairperson of KEBS National Standards Council, among others.
Source: https://casino.guru/global-self-exclusion-initiative/standards
